Coolmore Stud

Never So Brave (5g No Nay Never - Chica Whopa, by Oasis Dream) returned to winning ways with victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Friday. The Andrew Balding-trained gelding had won last year’s Group 1 City Of York Stakes and followed up with some respectable efforts this campaign, including when second in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York in June.

Merci Mille Fois (2c No Nay Never - Mascha, by Le Havre) made the perfect start to his career when striking on his debut at Compiegne on Friday. Trained by Christopher Head, the two-year-old was ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot and the pair settled behind the leaders on the inside early on. The son of No Nay Never moved into contention in the home straight and stayed on well to lead at the 300-metre mark, staying in pole position to win by a length and a quarter.

Progeny by Classic-winning sire St Mark’s Basilica were in strong demand at Tattersalls Book 1 this week, making prices of up to 420,000gns. Awbeg Stud’s half-sister to last year’s Group 1 Prix de l'Opera winner and 4,800,000gns Tattersalls December Mares Sale graduate Barnavara sold to Norris and Huntingdon for 420,000gns. The page also includes Classic winner and sire Lope De Vega, as well as German Group 1 winner Danceteria.

No Nay Never’s red-hot form continued at Tattersalls Book 1 this week, with a 900,000gns colt leading the way for the Classic-winning sire. That colt was offered by Pier House Stud out of the Group-placed Zoffany mare Woody Creek and he sold to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 900,000gns. The bay hails from the family of Group winners Dominica, Abel Handy and Classic Blade.

Progeny by the in-form Starspangledbanner continued to be in demand at Tattersalls Book 1 this week, making prices of up to 300,000gns. Leading the way was Haras d'Etreham’s half-brother to Prix du Jockey Club hero Look De Vega, who sold to Silverton Hill for 300,000gns. The bay hails from the family of another Prix du Jockey Club scorer in Lawman, as well as Prix de Diane heroine Latice.

Progeny by Classic winner and sire Camelot were in strong demand at Tattersalls Book 1 this week, selling for prices of up to 500,000gns. Leading the way was Mountain View Stud’s colt out of the Listed-winning Oasis Dream mare Techno Music, who sold to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 500,000gns. The bay is a grandson of Listed winner Techno Queen and the further family includes German Oaks heroine Turfdonna and fellow German Group 1 scorer Turfkonig.

A well-related colt by proven Group 1 sire Gleneagles caught the eye at Tattersalls Book 1 this week when selling to Joseph O’Brien for 250,000gns. Consigned by Yeomanstown Stud, the colt is a half-brother to last year’s Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes winner Lifeplan. The pair are out of a stakes-placed half-sister to black-type scorers Kingsgate Prince and Captain Ramius, while the page also includes German Derby hero Pastorius.

Progeny by in-form sire Sioux Nation were in strong demand at Tattersalls Book 1 this week, making prices of up to 330,000gns. Leading the way was Monksland Stables’ colt, a half-brother to recent US Grade 3 scorer Adonius, who sold to Amo Racing for 330,000gns. The bay is out of Exceed And Excel mare Dubai Paradise and hails from the family of Australian Group 1 winner Canny Lass.

A colt from the first crop of four-time Group 1 winner Paddington caught the eye at Tattersalls Book 1 this week when selling to Paddy Twomey for 220,000gns. Consigned by Camas Park Stud, the bay is out of Dubawi mare Smart Cookie, a half-sister to stakes winners Joie De Soir and Chemistry, as well as black-type performers Villa D'Amore and Rose D'Etoile. The further family includes Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet scorer Alpine Rose and Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud victor Fragrant Mix.

First-crop yearlings by champion two-year-old Little Big Bear continued to be in demand at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales, making prices of up to 750,000gns. Churchtown House Stud’s colt, a half-brother to Starspangledbanner’s Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes winner and Group 1 Middle Park Stakes second Castle Star, led the way when selling to Godolphin for 750,000gns.